NEW DELHI: Popular mobile web browser app UC Browser went missing from the Google Play Store earlier this week because of what the company claims is a policy
violation. Refuting allegations of "misleading and malicious promotions" to inflate downloads, the company told TOI on Thursday that it will be back on the app store next week. Last
November, UC Browser had crossed 100 million monthly active users in India.

"The exact reason for UC Browser's unavailability on Google Play is because of a certain setting of UC Browser that was not in line with Google's policy. The reason for the removal has
nothing to do with alleged data security breach or malicious promotion," a UC Web spokesperson told TOI over email.

UC Web is owned by Chinese conglomerate the Alibaba Group. UC Browser's new product package will be back on Google Play next week and, in the interim, users and partners can download
the product from our website, they added.

When contacted, a Google spokesperson declined to share specific details, but said: "We can't comment on individual apps, but all apps on Google Play must comply with our terms
of service." UC Web has said its app is awaiting evaluation on Google Play's Developer Console, where developers publish and distribute their Android apps. UC Web's other apps, such
as the UC Browser Mini were unaffected on the Play Store.